Update on medical assistance to injured Libyans

This news article was published under
the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

FCO Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said more Libyan patients expected to arrive in the UK over the next week.

FCO Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said:

“During the Prime Minister’s visit to Libya last month, the new Libyan authorities asked for our help in treating 50 Libyans who had been seriously injured during the conflict. Following the visit, the NHS sent a medical team to Tripoli to work with the Libyans to identify those who would benefit most from UK specialist expertise. So far more than 25 Libyan nationals have arrived in the UK for treatment. These include individuals affected by gunshot and shrapnel wounds and with severe burns. We expect more patients to arrive in the UK over the next week. I am proud of our excellent National Health Service and the fact that we have the expertise and compassion to help those in need.”

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:

“I am proud of the NHS, and proud that it is prepared to help seriously injured patients from Libya in this way. The expertise of our NHS staff is second to none in many respects, and I know that as well as helping our own NHS patients every day, many of them are also giving world leading care to help patients in need from abroad.”